FIVE ORANGUTANS ADAPTING WELL IN KEHJE SEWEN FOREST

To ensure that the released orangutans are adapting well, the PRM (Post-Release Monitoring) team is regularly observing and collecting data on their behavior and assessing how they have adapted to their new life and habitat.

Our PRM team in Camp Nles Mamse have reported that after the release of Ajeng, Erica, Arief, Long, and Leonie they are all doing really well.

Ajeng
Ajeng has been basing most of her activities up in the trees and she has been an eager explorer. She also knows her natural foods very well and rattan shoots have so far been one of her favorites. Ajeng reportedly met Leonie eating forest fruits, but just continued on by, completely ignoring Leonie.

Erica
The PRM team has been finding it difficult to monitor Erica, as she tries to avoid us observing her by moving rapidly through the trees, stopping only to break off small branches and throw them down at us. This is a really good sign and is how wild orangutans behave – its great that she is trying to avoid humans. Erica is also eating well and has been frequently recorded eating rattan shoots and termites.

Long and Arief
Long is still patiently accompanying her surrogate son, Arief, in Kehje Sewen Forest. Arief has been very active playing up in the trees, while his step mother Long, watches him nearby. Arief was observed accidentally bumping into a bees’ nest. He quickly hid behind Long to escape a few stings. Both climbed down to look for a safer place. As soon as it looked safe, the two went on looking for rattan shoots.

Leonie
Like Erica, Leonie appears to be completely avoiding humans. She kiss-squeaks everytime she notices one of our PRM team and moves quickly up into the trees. She does not range too far and sometimes seems quite content to sit back and relax on a tree branch. Leonie is also doing well foraging for natural foods.

We are delighted to see these five orangutans adapting well and living a happy life in their new home. We need to protect these orangutans and their habitat for years to come and we will continue to make sure they are able to live in a safe forest for the rest of their lives.